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FAQ About HVAC Filtration

Life is more enjoyable when decisions are easy, but sometimes even the simplest thing can feel complicated, like choosing the right HVAC filter for your system. Does furnace filter thickness matter? What’s the MERV rating? Is it the best furnace filter for allergies? What about dust control? Those are all factors our heating and cooling customers in San Bernardino and the entire Inland Empire have to consider.
Of course, it’s important to start with the basics. Sanborn’s Air Conditioning and Heating reminds you the most important thing is to make sure you have the right size filter and change it regularly.

  • Replacing filters is the single most important maintenance task

  • Will ensure efficiency

  • Dirty filters obstruct air flow

  • Clean filters reduce energy consumption 5% to 15%

Once that’s taken care of, then we can deal with some of the other factors to consider when determining which type of filter to buy. Here are a few tips to make sure you are using the correct filter in your home:

  • What are the major concerns you have about your indoor air quality, and what are the people who live their sensitive to? Some of the most common pollutants are:
    • Pollen or dust
    • Pet hair and dander
    • Molds and mildew
  • If your family is particularly sensitive to allergens, consider using high efficiency HEPA filters
  • Electrostatic filters use an electrical charge to trap particles
  • UV light systems can kill bacteria & viruses (Sanborn’s features the Honeywell brand)

Sanborn’s believes the best choice is the Daikin system, which combines HEPA and electrostatic filtration to trap 99.98% of airborne allergens.
One thing we haven’t talked about yet is the MERV rating. MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. The scale goes from 1 to 16. The higher the number means the filter is “more dense” (sometimes thicker)  and traps more particles, but the filter must be matched to your system. A higher MERV rating could be too dense for your system, limiting airflow and making it work harder. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call Sanborn’s to find out which filter is correct for you. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more great information like this.